WRITTEN QUESTION E-2714/99

by Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Human rights violations in Iran

On 27-28 November 1999 leading reformist and former Minister of the Interior Abdollah Nuri was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and the Chordad newspaper of which he was the publisher was banned. During that same weekend the publisher of the Asr-e-Asadegan newspaper, Mashallah Shamsolwaesin, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, a fine and a five-year ban on pursuing his occupation following detention.

How does the Commission view these arrests? Is it prepared to take up these cases and make representations to the Iranian Government, drawing attention to the plight of these detainees?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2713/99, E-2714/99 and E-2715/99 given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2000)

The Commission follows with concern the issue of human rights in Iran. In the comprehensive dialogue between the Union and Iran, questions regarding human rights are always raised by the Union. This was most recently the case of the meeting of the Troika with the Iranian deputy Foreign Minister in Helsinki on 1 December 1999.

The Commission is also involved in the demarches made by the Union to Iran in this respect. A number of demarches were made concerning the 13 Iranian Jews by the Union Troika as well as by individual Member States in the autumn of 1999. A Union Troika demarche regarding the reported death sentences on four students took place on 3 October 1999.

The possibilities for the Union to influence the situation in Iran are relatively limited due to the absence of any contractual relationship and the modest level of bilateral exchange. Nevertheless, the Iranian regime remains sensitive to international pressure, as it seeks to improve its ties with the Union and other partners. To be effective, however, such pressure which should be measured, in order not to create an impression of foreign interference.

In the case of the 13 Iranian Jews, Iranian representatives have pledged that the detainees will receive a fair and just trial. It has even been suggested that they may be released in the national interest . Iranian authorities are undoubtedly also aware of the strong negative international reaction that would follow any executions of student leaders.